Life Insurance for Veterans - Direct Payments for Insurance

 

To provide direct insurance payments, including advance payments disbursed as loans, to Veterans and their beneficiaries for claims based on death or other qualifying circumstances. Payments may be authorized for United States Government Life Insurance (USGLI), National Service Life Insurance (NSLI), and Veterans Mortgage Life Insurance (VMLI). 38 U.S.C. 1901-1963; 38 U.S.C. 2106.

Active 64.031 Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs G - Insurance Not applicable. National Service Life Insurance Act, Public Law 76-801
War Risk Insurance Act, Public Law 65-90, 38 U.S.C. 1903-1941
World War Veterans Act, Public Law 68-242
Servicemen's Indemnity and Insurance Act, Public Law 82-23 Veterans currently insured under USGLI, NSLI, or VMLI. Payment cannot be made if it would cause the insurance proceeds to revert back to a State (as in cases where there are no permissible heirs to pay). 38 U.S.C. 1950; 38 U.S.C. 1917(d). Payment may be made on a claim to a designated beneficiary, a representative of the estate, a minor or incompetent, or another designee filing for benefits. 38 U.S.C. 1917. A beneficiary may assign all or a portion of his or her share of the insurance to a restricted class of the insured's relatives. 38 U.S.C. 1918(b). Payments may also be made to the policyholder for loan or dividend amounts. 38 CFR 8.11(b); 38 CFR 6.14; 38 CFR 8.10; 38 CFR 6.11. The following documentation is generally required for payment of an insurance claim: (1) for a principal beneficiary, a photocopy of the death certificate showing date and cause of death of the insured, and a completed VA Form 29-4125; (2) for a contingent beneficiary, death certificates for the insured and principal beneficiary(ies), and a completed VA Form 29-4125; (3) for a representative of the Veteran's estate, the death certificate(s), copies of letters testamentary, letters of administration, or a court order of distribution along with claims from the entitled parties, and an appropriate claim form signed by the executor or administrator of the estate; (4) for a minor or incompetent, death certificate(s); a claim from the next of kin, personal representative (guardian, custodian, etc.) or logical person to receive payment for the minor or incompetent; letters of guardianship, conservatorship (if any); and the address of minor or incompetent. If filing for VMLI benefits, the following documentation is needed: insured's death certificate, and a payoff statement from the Veteran's or Servicemember's mortgage lender showing the outstanding mortgage balance owed as of the Veteran's or Servicemember 's death. An insured's will can be used as evidence that he or she intended a lump sum payment, regardless of when the will was executed. 38 CFR 8.25. A letter claiming the insurance proceeds and showing a mailing address for the check may be used instead of a VA claim form. The claimant should be sure to show the insurance file number and to sign the letter. An insured can surrender the policy for its cash value by submitting VA Form 29-1546, page 1. An insured can request a loan against the cash value of the policy by submitting VA Form 29-1546, page 2, or by applying online. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87. This program is excluded from coverage under 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles. Preapplication coordination is not applicable. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No.A-110. Death proceeds can be claimed by submitting a VA Form 29-4125 or 4125(a). An insured can surrender the policy for its cash value by submitting VA Form 29-1546 , page 1. An insured can request a loan against the cash value of the policy by submitting VA Form 29-1546 , page 2, or by applying online. Direct Insurance payments can be directly deposited into a claimant's account. Claimants must provide their checking or savings deposit account number as well as their social security numbers. Claimants must also provide the name, address, phone number, and routing transit number for their financial institutions. If the award check is to be mailed to the claimant's bank account, the account number and type of account (checking or savings) must be shown on the claim in addition to the name and address of the bank. USGLI proceeds are paid from the USGLI fund. 38 U.S.C. 1955(a). Under 38 CFR part 8, four distinct life insurance programs exist, namely, NSLI, Veterans Special Life Insurance (VSLI, 38 U.S.C. 1923), Veterans Reopened Insurance (VRI, 38 U.S.C. 1925), and Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance (S-DVI, 38 U.S.C. 1922). NSLI proceeds are paid from the NSLI fund. 38 U.S.C. 1920(a). VSLI proceeds are paid from the VSLI fund. 38 U.S.C. 1923(a). VRI proceeds are paid from the VRI fund. 38 U.S.C. 1925(d)(1). S-DVI proceeds are paid from the fund established at 38 U.S.C. 1922(a)(4). VMLI proceeds are paid from the "Veterans Insurance and Indemnities" appropriations account. 38 U.S.C. 2106(d))(1). Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines Not applicable. In the event of a denial or disagreement, a notification letter will advise of applicable review/appeal options, associated filing requirements and time limits. Not applicable. Not applicable. The funds used to pay insurance proceeds will be discussed below in the “Award Procedure (093)” section. Life insurance settlement is payable upon death of the insured, or the insured may surrender a permanent plan policy for cash. 38 U.S.C. 1917; 38 U.S.C. 1951; 38 CFR 8.11(b); 38 CFR 6.14. The insured may also be granted a loan for up to 94 percent of the cash surrender value of a permanent plan policy. 38 CFR 8.13; 38 CFR 6.13. Interest on United States Government Life Insurance (WWI) policy loans is charged at the rate of 5 percent per annum. 38 U.S.C. 1944. Interest is charged at a variable annual rate for NSLI. 38 CFR 8.13. The variable rate equals the yield on the Ten-Year Constant Maturities Index for U.S. Treasury securities for the month of June of each year rounded down to the next whole percentage. 38 CFR 8.13(c). This loan rate is effective from the first day of October of each year and will not exceed 12 percent or be lower than 5 percent per annum. 38 CFR 8.13(d). The face amount of the policy, less any indebtedness on the policy, is payable to the designated beneficiary upon the insured's death under a regular life policy, and only to the mortgage holder under VMLI coverage. 38 U.S.C. 1917(a); 38 U.S.C. 2106(e). Other direct payments may include dividend cash option payments or other payments as authorized. 38 CFR 8.10; 38 CFR 6.11. Not applicable. Not applicable. Records are maintained at the Insurance Center. Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. None Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Lump. See Regional Assistance Locations. For all States, contacts the Department of Veterans Affairs, P.O. Box 42954, Philadelphia, PA 19101. This office should also be contacted about Veterans Mortgage Protection Life Insurance. Tikva Giterman - VBA, Insurance Program Management
5000 Wissahickon Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19144 US
Tikva.giterman@va.gov
Phone: 215-842-2000 x4287 http://www.benefits.va.gov/INSURANCE/index.asp 36-8455-0-1-701 (Insurance) FY 22$722,699,000.00; FY 23 est $624,829,000.00; FY 24 est $584,241,000.00; FY 19$980,000,000.00; FY 20 est $937,000,000.00; FY 21 est $834,000,000.00; FY 18 est $1,160,000,000.00; FY 16$1,220,000,000.00; FY 17 est $1,220,000,000.00; - Death claims, disability claims, mature endowments, cash surrender, dividends, interest paid on dividend credits and deposits, policy liens established. None Not applicable. Not applicable.